1) Quadrats

Results

1. Calculate mean and standard error for your 10 quadrats.
2. Calculate grass, legume and forb density (and relative density - percentage)

Discussion

• Which plant species were in the forb, legume and grass groups?
• Comment on plant size of forbs, legumes and grass - How would these results relate to plant mass?

2) Transects

Results

1. Calculate the mean grass, legume and forb percentage for your transect.
2. Compare your value with your quadrat value - why do they differ?
3. Tally grass, legume and forb patches to determine the size distribution - compare these using Chi²
4. How many patches do you find - what size?
5. Calculate the mean patch size
6. Prepare a test set of data that is randomly distributed (ensure the proportions are the same as your transect, repeat steps 4-6) - Make a Chi² test between your observation and the random distribution.
7. Copy your data into the spatial analysis spreadsheet. What evidence of spatial structure is there? Repeat for your random distribution - what differences are there?

Discussion

• Would a larger plant have a greater probability of being sampled/recorded at any point?
• What are the factors in the field that contribute to the observed populations? (defoliation height and rate, fertility, species present, climate)? How might the population change if this environment changed?

Report

Your final report should comprise 1000 words (excluding data, tables and figures)

Use scientific reporting style (Introduction with a statement of your objective, Methods, Results, Discussion, Literature cited)

Due date - initial drafts will be reviewed and returned; the final report is due 17 October